Box



H. L. MYERS BOX Filed Jan. 20-, 1954 2 SheetsSheet 1,

INVENTOR. Jil n ROLE-L!- MYEI E s ATTORNES.

H. L. MYERS April 7 1% BOX Filed Jan. 20, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HNVENTOW HAROLD J. .MyE/?$ ATTORNEY5.

Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOX Harold L. Myers, Morristown, N. J.

Application January 20, 1934, Serial No. 707,435

, ticularly to paper boxes of the so-called slide type comprising an inner body section adapted to contain articles of merchandise and an outer sleeve section slidable relatively to said body section to one position in which the box constitutes a normal container, that is a container in closed condition and to another position to open the container and to permit ready removal of the merchandise or to display the same. The object of the invention is to provide boxes of the indicated class with foldable supporting members combined with the sections in a novel manner and automatically adjustable from an inoperative position to a supporting position and vice versa by the movements of said sections relatively to each other. Other objects will appear from the description hereinafter and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate examples of the invention without defining its limits, Fig. 1 is a face view of the box, in its normal condition, with one form of the novel; supporting member combined therewith; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 1 on a larger scale; Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the inner body section of the box and attached supporting member; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the co-operating outer sleeve section of said box; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 1 with the supporting member in a supporting position; Fig. 6 is a flat face View of the inner body section of the box of Fig. 1 with the supporting member attached thereto; Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the box in display position with another form of supporting member combined therewith, and Fig. 8 is a flat face view of the inner body section of the box of Fig. '7 and the supporting member thereof.

In the drawings the box is shown in a form designed to contain pencils, crayons or the like, for which it is especially adapted, it being understood however that this is not to be construed as a limitation and that the box may be constructed for the purpose of containing articles of merchandise other than those mentioned above.

In the form illustrated, the box comprises an inner body section II) constructed of a single sheet of paper or other material, scored and folded to provide a tray-like container for the pencils, crayons or the like H. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the body section may include a false bottom l2 fixed in place by means of an integral flap i3 adapted to engage the bottom of the body section II] to which it may be secured by pasting or otherwise, if desired; it will be understood that the side members M of the body section In may be likewise fastened together by pasting to complete the body section Ill, although in some forms this may be unnecessary. In the illustrated example the false bottom I2 and the flap l3 comprise material cut from a portion of the body section II] to provide a display opening IS in the latter. The body section In in its illustrated form further includes a hinged and foldable cover flap It as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In addition the completed box includes an outer sleeve section H slidably mounted on the body section II) so that said sections it and I! are capable of being moved relatively to each other in lengthwise directions. As shown in the drawings the outer sleeve section 11 is of rectangular tubular form to slidably fit upon the inner body section I0 of corresponding rectangular shape, and is of a length substantially less than that of the body section '0.

When the box is designed for the purpose of containing crayons, pencils or the like II, the latter are contained in the body section l0 with the points of said pencils, crayons or the like resting upon the false bottom [2 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In the normal condition of the box in which it constitutes a package, the outer sleeve section I! occupies a raised position on the inner body section ID, for instance at one end thereof in overlying relation to the closing flap it, or with said flap extending into said outer sleeve section H, as illustrated in Fig. 2; in this position the upper end of the box is closed by said flap l6 while the lower or pointed end portions of the crayons, pencils or the like I I are visible through the display opening [5, this arrangement exemplifying the position of the box in its normal condition in which it constitutes a package for storing or shipping the contents, or for containing the latter when not in use. When it is desired to remove one or more of the pencils, crayons, or the like H, the outer sleeve section I! is shifted downwardly on or toward the other end of the inner body section It! in Fig. 2 so as to release the closing flap l6 and permit the same to be adjusted to an open position in which the upper portions of the pencils, crayons or the like II, project above the portion a of the inner body section In so as to be easily accessible for removal as desired.

To permit the box to be supported in an inclined position for display purposes, or in order to maintain the contents in a position of ready accessibility for use, the box is provided with a supporting member which, by the relative movements of the inner body section III and outer sleeve section I7, is automatically adjusted to a supporting position to act in the nature of an easel and to an inoperative position in which it lies in an extended fiat condition in close relation to or in substantial surface engagement with the rear or bottom face of the box.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the supporting member |8 is constructed as an element independent of the sections it] and |'i and preferably converges from an intermediate point towards its opposite free ends as shown in Fig. 6; at said free ends the supporting member is provided with outwardly tapering tongues l9 and 22 forming integral extensions of the member l8 and notched at their bases as indicated at 2|. In the illustrated example the distance between the bases of the tongues l9 and 20 is less than the length of said body section H]. The member l8 at an intermediate point preferably coinciding with its widest portion, is transversely scored as indicated at 22, and in addition is provided at the base of the tongues I9 and 29 in registry with the notches 2| with additional scorings 23. To enable the supporting member l8 to be properly and operatively combined with the box, the inner body section I!) is provided with a transverse slot 24 preferably located in registry with one folding edge 25 of the one end wall 26 of the inner body section H], as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The outer sleeve section I! is provided at an intermediate point with a corresponding transverse slot 2'! as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The length of the slots 24 and 21 corresponds approximately to the distance between each pair of opposite notches 2| and accordingly is less than the widest portions of the tongues l9 and 20 at the base of said tongues and adjacent to said notches 2|. To combine the supporting member |8 with the box sections the tongue i9 is inserted into the slot 24 of the body section it and is forced through said slot 24 until the widest portion of said tongue l9 has passed inwardly beyond said slot 24, the flexibility and inherent characteristics of the paper or other material of which the tongue l9 is made permitting this operation; as soon as said widest portion of said tongue It has passed inwardly beyond said slot 24, the material of which the tongue H) is constructed will snap back to its original form so that the slot 24 registers with the notches 2| and the tongue l9 projects laterally beyond the ends of said slot 24 and is accordingly locked against -withdrawal therefrom. The opposite end of the supporting member i8 is correspondingly con nected with the outer sleeve section I! by forcing the tongue 20 inwardly through the slot 2'! thereof until the widest portion of said tongue 20 has passed inwardly beyond said slot 21; in this instance also as soon as this occurs, the material of which the tongue 29 is composed will snap back to its initial condition and thereby lock the tongue 20 against withdrawal from the slot 21 which at this stage lies in registry with the other pair of notches 2|.

When the parts of the box occupy the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in which said box constitutes a package or container, the supporting member l8 will occupy an extended flattened position in substantial surface engagement with the outer sleeve member I! and in connection therewith and with the inner body member if: as illustrated in Fig. 2. If the outer sleeve member H is moved downwardly on the inner body member ID from the position shown in Fig. 2 to a lower position thereon, or in other words in a direction toward the end of the body ID to which the supporting member i8 is comiected, the latter will be flexed outwardly on the score lines 22 and 23 until the portion b thereof occupies a position in angular relation to the body member ID as shown in Fig. 5 with the portion 0 extending therefrom in an upwardly inclined direction toward the outer sleeve member I! as shown in Fig. 5. In this adjustment of the parts the member l8 functions as an easel and serves to support the box in an inclined position in which the upper end portion of the inner body member l0 lies above the upper edge of the outer sleeve member I! and the closing flap H5 is free to be adjusted to a position in which the pencils, crayons or the like II, or the equivalent contents of the box are exposed either for purposes of display or in position to be readily removed for use as required. With this construction the supporting member may be easily applied to and removed from the box so that said supporting member may be used or not used at will. For example, it may be desired to lay the box in full open position fiat on a supporting surface; this cannot be done with the supporting member attached, but is easily possible when the supporting member is removed. Moreover, the structure with the separate supporting member is easy and inexpensive to manufacture with a minimum of waste of material in cutting the lanks.

In the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the box itself may be constructed in the same way as shown and described with respect to the box illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. The inner body section it being likewise provided with a slot 24' corresponding to the slot 24 and the outer sleeve section having a slot 21" formed therein at an intermediate point. In the form now being described the supporting member l8 constitutes an integral extension of the outer sleeve section H and accordingly has its one end in permanent connection with the latter. The supporting member l8 as shown in Fig. 3 is of elongated rectangular form of even dimensions throughout and at its free end is provided with an integral tongue i9 of outwardly tapering form and formed at its base with notches 2| as illustrated in said Fig. 8. A score line 2? is provided in registry with the line of connection between the outer sleeve section and the supporting member |8 and an additional scoring line 22 corresponding to the score line 22 of the form first described is provided at an intermediate point on said supporting member l8 as illustrated in Fig. 8. The supporting member |8 further includes a score line 23* at the base of the tongue |9 extending between and in registry with the notches 2| a thereof. To facilitate the folding of the supporting member H3 in the manner to be described hereinafter, additional score lines 28, 29 and 30 are provided in spaced parallel relations as also shown in Fig. 8.

In the completed condition of the box now being described, the supporting member H3, at its one end, is in permanent hinged connection with the outer sleeve member I1 and is folded upon the score line 23 so as to extend inwardly of said member fil as shown in Fig. 7; said member i8 projects outwardly through the slot 2'! of the member ll and is connected with the inner body member Hi by forcing the tongue l9 through the slot 24 so as to lock said tongue l9 against withdrawal from said slot 24 in the manner previously described with respect to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6. During the adjustment of the supporting member i8 through the slot 21 the score lines 28 and 29 permits said member [8 to flex and accommodate itself readily to the changes in position necessitated by such adjustment; otherwise, the score lines 28 and 29 have no purpose and if the material of which the supporting member l8 is constructed is sufficiently flexible to permit the adjustment without breakage or injury, said score lines may be omitted.

In the normal position of the parts of the box corresponding to that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the supporting member W will occupy a position identical with that of the supporting member IS in Fig. 2. As the outer sleeve member I! is moved downwardly on the inner body member "J the supporting member 58* will be flexed on the score lines 23, 22 and 38, to bring the portion 1) of said member it; and the portion 0' thereof into the horizontal and inclined positions respectively, illustrated in Fig. 7. In this adjustment of the parts the supporting member is functions as an easel to maintain the box in an inclined position in the same manner and for the same purposes as set forth with respect to the form of box first described.

In all of its forms the novel supporting member serves to efliciently maintain the box in the inclined position referred to and is automatically adjusted to and from its supporting position and vice versa, by the movements of the inner body sections and outer sleeve sections relatively to each other. The supporting members 18 and iii are simple in construction and easy to attach to the box sections and require no particular skill in this respect; the form of said supporting member illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, because of its independent character is furthermore adapted for combination with existing types of boxes by simply providing the latter with the necessary slots for the accommodation of the tongues whereby connection with the box sections is effected.

Various changes in the specific forms shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a box of the kind described including an inner body section adapted to contain articles of merchandise, and an outer sleeve section, said sections being movable relatively to each other in a lengthwise direction, that improvement which comprises providing each of said sections with a slot, a foldable supporting member independent of said sections, and tongues forming integral extensions of said supporting member at its opposite ends for removable insertion into said slots whereby said supporting member is disconnectably attached to said sections, said supporting member being automatically adjustable to a supporting position and to an inoperative position by the movements of said sections relatively to each other.

2. In a box of the kind described including an inner body section adapted to contain articles of merchandise, and an outer sleeve section, said sections being movable relatively to each other in a lengthwise direction, that improvement which comprises providing both of said sections with transverse slots, a foldable supporting member independent of said sections, and notched tongues at opposite ends of said member adapted to be inserted into said slots and locked against withdrawal therefrom whereby said supporting member is attached to said sections, said supporting member being automatically adjustable to a supporting position and to an inoperative position by the movements of said sections relatively to each other.

3. In a box of the kind described including an inner body section adapted to contain articles of merchandise, and an outer sleeve section, said sections being movable relatively to each other in a lengthwise direction, that improvement which comprises providing both of said sections with transverse slots, a foldable supporting member having its one end in permanent hinged connection with the outer sleeve section and extending inwardly thereof and outwardly through the slot of said outer section, and a notched tongue at the free end of said member adapted to be inserted into the slot of said body section and locked against withdrawal therefrom whereby said free end is attached to said inner section, said supporting member being automatically adjustable to a supporting position and to an inoperative position by the movements of said sections relatively to each other.

4. A box comprising an inner body section and an outer sleeve section movable longitudinally relatively to each other, said sleeve section being of a length less than said body section, and a separate supporting member of greater length than said sleeve section independent of said sectic-ns, said supporting section being foldable transversely intermediate its ends and disconnectably connected at each end to one of said sections and being foldable to and from a supporting position by the longitudinal movements of said sleeve section relatively to said body section.

5. A box comp-rising an inner body section and an outer sleeve section movable longitudinally relatively to each other, said sleeve section being of a length less than said body section, said body section having a slot at one end and said sleeve section having a slot intermediate its ends, and a separate supporting member of greater length than said sleeve section independent of said sections, said supporting section being foldable transversely intermediate its ends and having a tongue at each end disconnectably inserted into one of said slots and being foldable to and from a supporting position by the longitudinal movements of said sleeve section relatively to said body section.

6. A box comprising an inner body section and an outer sleeve section movable longitudinally relatively to each other, said sleeve sec tion being of a length less than said body section, said body section having a slot at one end and said sleeve section having a slot intermediate its ends, and a supporting member independent of said sections foldable transversely intermediate its ends and having a tongue at each end separably inserted into one of said slots, the distance between the bases of said tongues being substantially less than the length of said body section, whereby said supporting member may lie in flattened condition in surface engagement with the box or may be extended outwardly into angular supporting relation to the box upon relative movement of the sections in opposite directions, respectively.

HAROLD L. MYERS. 

